Reclining article of furniture



Nov. 11, 1952 AJLOREINZ 2,617,471

I RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed A ril 19, 1946 s Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR Am, L-DRENZ L ATTORNEY NOY. 11, 1952 J AQLQRENZ I 2,617,471

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed April 19, 1946. .3 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR ANTON LORENZ BY I HIS ATTORNEY Nov. 11, 1952 QL 2,617,471

RECLiNING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed April 19; 1946 a Sheets-Sheet sINVENTOR ANTON LORENZ HIS 'ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 11, 1952 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Anton Lorenz, Buffalo, N.Y.

Application April 19, 1946, Serial No. 663,550

18 Claims. 1

This is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 470,140filed December 26, 1942.

My'invention relates to articles of furniture, and more particularly toa reclining article of furniture, wherein a seat, a back-rest, a topconnecting link and a front connecting link are pivotally connected witheach other so as to form the sides of a four-sided link-system, andwherein one side of said four-sided link-system is swingably mounted ona support.

In the hitherto known reclining articles of furniture of above describedtype means are provided for the control of the movements of the sides ofthe four-sided link-system during the adjustment of the movable membersof the reclining article of furniture from one position into anotherone. It has been found, however, that reclining articles of furniturewith a controlled movement of their movable members permit only alimited adjustment of their movable members.

An object of my invention is to provide. a reclining article offurniture of above described type, wherein the four-sided link-systemmay be moved relative to the support without a simultaneous alterationof the position of the sides of the four-sided link-system relative toeach other, and wherein the sides of the four-sided linksystem may bemoved relative to each other without a simultaneous alteration of theposition of the top connecting link of the four-sided linksystemrelative to the support.

A further object of my invention is to provide a reclining article offurniture of above described type having a leg-rest swingably mounted onthe seat with means for displacing the leg-rest relative to the seatduring a movement of the sides of the four-sided link-system relative toeach other.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a reclining articleof furniture of above described type having a leg-rest swingably mountedon the seat with means for adjusting the position of the leg-restrelative to the seat.

A further object of my invention is to provide a reclining article offurniture of above described type with a leg-rest swingably mounted onthe seat and controlled by a connecting link of the four-sidedlink-system, which may be brought almost in line with the seat when thelatter is in its extreme reclined position, so that the feet of theperson resting in the article of furniture are in a level well above thehead of the person resting in the article of furniture.

With the above and other objects of the invention in view, the inventionconsists in the novel chair shown in Fig. 1, wherein, however, the moveable members thereof are in different positions, Fig. 4 is a sideelevational view of a different embodiment of an adjustable recliningchair according to the invention,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a locking device of the chair shown inFig. 1, taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a difierent embodiment of anadjustable reclining chair according to the invention,

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the support of the adjustable recliningchair shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a locking device of the chair shown inFig. 6, taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 6,

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of an office chair according to theinvention,

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section, ofthe office chair shown in Fig. 9, illustrating the latch mechanism ofsaid oflice chair in an enlarged scale,

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on line ||--Il of Fig. 10,

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of a different embodiment of anadjustable reclining chair according to the invention,

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the leg-rest, seat,and connecting links of the chair shown in Fig. 12,

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the support of the chair shown in Fig.12,

Fig. 15 is a side elevational view of a different embodiment of anadjustable reclining chair according to the invention,

Fig. 16 is an levational view of the front connecting link of the chairshown in Fig. 15,

Fi'ggl'l is a sectional view taken on line l1 l| of Fig.'16,f

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a detail of the chair shown in Fig. 15,

Fig. 19 is a sectional view taken on line 19-! of Fig. 15,

Fig. 20 is a side elevational view of a difierent embodiment of anadjustablereclining chair according to the invention, v

Fig. 21 is a sectional view taken on line 2 l-2l of Fig. 20,

Fig. 22 is a sectional view taken on line 22-22 of Fig. 20, and

Fig. 23 is a side elevational view of the chair shown in Fig. 20,wherein, however, the movable members of the chair are in a differentposition.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7, 25 generally indicates asupport made of an integral piece of tubular material bent in suitablemanner so as to form a substantially U-shaped ground-engaging portion22, the legs of which merge into upwardly extending legs 24, one on eachside of the chair. leg 24 extends toward the rear of the chair and isflattened. Two plates 28 and 30, oneon each side of the end 25, aresecured to the flattened portion 25 of each leg 24 by means of rivets 32or the like. Furthermore, each portion 25 has two upper surfaces 34 and35 arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to each other forapurpose tobe described hereinafter. The legs 24 are connected with eachother in their lower portion by means of a reinforcing cross-bar 58.

@0 indicates a back-rest pivotally connected to the rear end of a seat42 at 44. On each side of the chair, the rear end of a top connectinglink 52 is pivoted at 55 to an intermediate point of the back-rest abovethe plane of the seat 52. The front end of each top connecting link 52is pivoted at 54 to the upper end of a front connecting link 55, thelower portion of which is pivoted to the front portion of the seat 52 at58. Thus, the seat t2, the back-rest 45, the top connecting link 52 andthe front connecting link 59 form a four-sided link-system. In theembodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, said four-sided link-system hassides of unequal length.

A leg-rest 45 swingably mounted on the front portion of the seat 52 at48 is rigidly connected with the front connecting link 50 so as toparticipate in the movements of the latter. According to the embodimentshown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the leg-rest 42 is integral with the frontconnecting link if desired, however, the leg-rest and the frontconnecting link could be made of two separate elements rigidly connectedwith each other by screws or the like.

The top connecting links 52 represent the armrests of the chair. Thecenter portion of each top connecting link is placed between the'twoplates'25 and 30 secured to the end 26 of the leg 24 (see Figs. 1 and5). A pin 58 having a head for abutting against the plate 35 passesthrough registering holes 62, E4, 65 of the plates and the topconnecting link, so that the foursided link-system 40, 42, 50, 52 ispivoted to the support 20 at an intermediate point of the top connectinglink 52 substantially in the center thereof. The pin 58 prevented fromrotation by the engagement of a projecting portion 5! with acorresponding recess of'the plates 35 has a threaded end projectingoutwardly from the plate 28 and carrying a split washer 58. A looking orclamping screw H1 is screwed on the threaded end of said pin 58 fortightening the screw against the washer 68 so as to press the plates 28and 30 against the top connecting link 52 and lock the relative positionbetween the top connecting link and the support, if desired. If thescrew Ill is not tightened against the washer, the top connecting link52 may be freely swung about the pin 58. The extreme positions of thetop connecting link 52 are limited by the sur- The free end 25 of each'4 faces 34 and 35 of the end 25, against which the top connecting linkcomes to rest.

Likewise, a clamping screw 12 is screwed on the threaded end of the pin44 forming the joint between the back-rest l5 and the seat 42. If theclamping screw '52 is tightened on the pin 42 prevented from rotation bya projecting portion thereof engaged with a recess of the seat, theadjusted relative position between the members 55, 42, 55 and 52 of thefour-sided link-system is locked; if the clamping screw 72 is loosened,the members of the four-sided link-system may be freely moved withrespect to each other. The extreme sitting position of the members ofthe four-sided link-system is limited by the crossrod 38, against whichthe leg-rest may abut. The extreme reclined position of the members ofthe four-sided link-system is determined by the arrangement of thesemembers, i. e. the members of the four-sided link-system may be movedrelative to each other, until the leg-rest comes into alignment with theconnecting links as shown in dash and dot lines in Fig. 6. When themembers of the four-sided link-system are brought into said extremereclined position, the feet of a person resting in the chair are in alevel well above the head of the person resting in the chair.

The chair shown in Figs. 1-3 may be usedas follows:

Assume, the four-sided link-system is in the position shown in fulllines in Fig. l, the clamping screw ill is tightened and the clampingscrew 72 is loosened. Under these circumstances the relative positionbetween the top connecting link 52 and the support 25 is locked, theremaining three members of the four-sided link-system, however, may bemoved relative to each other. Thus, the user of the chair may swing thebackrest, the seat, the front connecting link, and the leg-restconnected with said front connecting link back and forth by leaning hisback against the back-rest or slightly lifting his legs from theleg-rest or by pressing his legs against the legrest. Preferably, thepivot 55 is arranged at such a, point of the top connecting link, that,in the position shown in full lines in Fig. l, the load of the user ofthe chair causes a slight overweight tending to turn the back-rest inclock-wise direction; this overweight may be easily balanced by a slightcounter-pressure on the leg-rest. The creation of an overweightfacilitates above mentioned swinging movement of three members of thefour-sided link-system. The user of the chair may maintain anyintermediate position of the members of the four-sided link-system whichsuits him, for example the position shown in dash and dot lines in Fig.l, by balancing the movable members of the four-sided link-system bymeans of a slight pressure on the leg-rest. If desired, however, theuser of the chair may lock such an intermediate position of the movablemembers of the four-sided link-system by tight ening the clamping screw72.

Now assume, the four-sided link-system is in the position shown in fulllines in Fig. 1, the clamping screw "i5 is loosened and the clampingscrew 72 is tightened. Under these circumstances the adjusted positionof the members 49, 42, 50, 52 of the four-sided link-system relative toeach other is locked, and the user of the chair may use the chair as aswiveling chair swinging about the pivot 58. The extreme positions ofthe swiveling locked link-system are limited by the surface 34 and 35respectively of the ends 26,

against which the top connecting link comes to rest. The full linepositions of the four-sided link-.system shown in Figs, 1 and 2 indicatesaid two extreme positions.

.If desired, the user of the chair may look the extreme position of thetop connecting link 52 shown in Fig. 2 by tightening the clamping screw10. Now, after loosening the clamping screw 12, the user of thechair maystart swinging movements of the back-rest, seat and leg-rest similar tothat described above in connection with Fig. 1, with the only exceptionthat the starting posi tion of the members of the four-sided link-systemis a different one. Fig. 2 indicate one of the positions of the membersof the four-sided link-system, which may be obtained by swinging themembers of the four-sided link-system after tightening the clampingscrew and loosening the clamping screw 12. Of course, the dash and dotline position or any other intermediate position of the members of thefour-sided link-system may be locked by tightening the clamping screw12.

Instead of locking the extreme position of the top connecting link 52shown in Fig. 2 after a swiveling movement of the locked four-sidedlink-system about the pivot 58, any intermediate position of the topconnecting link 52 may be locked by tightening the clamping screw 10 asshown in Fig. 3. Starting from such a locked intermediate position ofthe four-sided link-system, the user of the chair may carry out swingingmovements of the back-rest, seat and leg-rest after loosening theclamping screw 12. The dash and dot line position of the members of thefoursided link-system shown in Fig. 3 indicate one of the positionswhich may be obtained by such a swinging movement. It is understood thatthis or any other position obtained by a swinging movement of themembers of the four-sided linksystem may be locked by tightening theclamping screw 12.

In order to move the four-sided link-system from the full line positionshown in Fig. 1 into the dash and dot line position shown in Fig. 2 forexample, as a modification, first the clamping screw 12 could beloosened to permit a movement of the members of the four-sidedlink-system into the position shown in dash and dot lines in Fig. 1,whereupon after tightening the clamping screw 12 and loosening theclamping screw Ill the four-sided link-system may be swung about thepivot 58 into the dash and dot line position shown in Fig. 2, which,thereupon, may be locked by tightening the clamping screw 10.

Furthermore, if desired, both clamping means 10 and '12 could beloosened for changing the position of the members of the four-sidedlinksystem from the full line position shown in Fig. 1 to the dash anddot line position shown in Fig. 2. Under these circumstances, themovement of the members of the four-sided link-system is composed of amovement of the top connecting link about its pivot 58 and a movement ofthe members 46, 42, 50, 52 relative to each other, said two movementstaking place more or less at the same time.

In this connection, it may be mentioned, that clamping means such as theclamping screw 12 for locking an adjusted relative position of themembers of the four-sided link-system and/or clamping means such as theclamping screw 10 for locking the position of the top connecting link 52relative to the support may be entirely The dash and dot lines in I 6..omitted, if desired. If the clamping screw 12 is omitted, the members ofthe four-sided link-system may be held in any intermediate position bythe above described balancing action of the user of the chair as long asthe legs of the user of the chair are not in a level higher than thehead of the user of the chair. If the clamping screw 10 is omitted,intermediate positions of the top connecting link cannot be locked, butthe top connecting link is held in either one of its extreme positionsby the stopping surface 34 and 36 respectively of the end of the leg 24In the embodiment of the reclining chair shown in Figs. 1-3 the clampingmeans 10 for locking the top connecting link 52 is coaxial with thepivot 58 between the top connecting link and the support. If desired,the clamping means for locking the top connecting link could be arrangedat a place remote from the pivot 58. Furthermore, any other suitabletype of clamping means could be used, if desired.

According to the embodiment of an adjustable reclining chair shown inFig. 4, again one point of the four-sided link-system I48, I42, I59, I52is in permanent operative engagement with the support I20, 1. e. a pointof the top connecting.

link I52 of said four-sided link-system is pivoted to said support I20at I58. According to Fig. 4, however, the front connecting link I50 andthe portion of the back-rest I45 between the pivots I44 and I55 are ofequal length, and, likewise, the top connecting link I52 is of the samelength as the seat I42, so that the four-sided link-system is in theshape of a parallelogram. The front connecting link I50 is rigidlyconnected with the leg-rest I46 swingably mounted on the seat I42 atI48. The arrangement of the clamp ing screws I10 and I12 is the same asthat of the clamping screws 10 and 12in the embodiment of the chairshown in Figs. 1-3. In order to limit the extreme sitting position ofthe members of the'four-sided link-system I48, I42, I58,

I52 of the chair shown in Fig. 4, an abutment,

I14 is arranged on the leg-rest I46 for engagement with the seat I42. Ifdesired, said abutment could be arranged at any of the other corners ofthe four-sided link-system. Furthermore, such an abutment could be usedin the chair shown in Figs. 1-3, if desired. The operation of thereclining chair shown in Fig. 4 is the same as the operation of thechair shown in Figs. 1-3.

The reclining chair shown in Fig. 6 is substantially the same as thereclining chair shown in Figs. 1-3. The four-sided link-system 240, 242,250, 252 is swingably mounted on the support 220 at 258, and the frontconnecting link 25!] is rigidly connected with the leg-rest 245 pivotedto the seat 242 at 248. The means for limiting the extreme positions ofthe top connecting link 252, however, are of different type. Stops 293and 292 secured to the end 226 of the leg-rest 224 project inwardlytherefrom and serve as an abutment for the top connecting link 252 inits extreme positions. As best shown in Fig. 8, the top connecting link252 is pivoted to the support 220 by means of a pin 258 passing throughregistering holes in the end 226, the top connecting link 252 and aplate 294 of suitable shape secured to the end 226 by rivets 296. Aclamping screw 210 screwed on the threaded end of the pin 258 serves tolock various positions of the top connecting link relative to thesupport 220. The locking device 212 arranged on the pivot 244 serves tolock an adjusted position of speechthechair shown in Figs; 1-3.

Figs; 9-11 illustrate an ofilce chair according to the invention. Aspindle 3M carrying-a supporting member 3&3 is screwed into the threadedbore of a pedestal 335, which may be ofany conventiona-l form. On eachside of the chair anupright 3911s rigidly connectedwith said-sup=-porting mernb'er 3d3-by screws A topconnect-- ing link 352 is sW-ingablymounted on'each upright Bill at 358. The rear end of each tOp connectinglink 352 is pivoted to the back-rest 349 at 356. The lower end of theback-rest 348' is pivoted to the rear portion of the seat 342 at 344.The front portion of said seat 342 is pivotally connected at 343 withthe lower end oi'the front connecting link 35d, the upper end of whichis pivoted at 354 to the front end of the top connecting link 352. Alocking device 3'12 arranged on the pivot 344 may be used for lockingthe members of the four-sided link-system 345, 342, 353, 352 in anadjusted position relative to each other. Each upright is provided withan abutment 334 and an abutment 533. The abutment 334 serves to limitthe substantially horizontal position of the top connecting link 852,and the abutment 336 serves to limit the extreme reclined position ofsaid top connecting link 352.

The abutment 334 is provided with an automatic latch mechanism generallyindicated by 309. Said latch mechanism 3% comprises a hook-like member3H swingably mounted in an aperture 3 E3 of the abutment 334 at 335. Atension spring 3%? stretched between the upper end of the hook 3i I andthe wall of the aperture 3i3 tends to urge the hook 3 into the verticalposition in engagement with a stop SIS arranged in the aperture 353, asshown in full lines in Fig. 10. The upper end of the hook 3 I I may passthrough a slot 32I at the lower wall of the top connecting link 352, andthe hook itself may come into engagement with a portion of the lowerwall of the top connecting link 352, when the latter is in thehorizontal position shown in Fig. 10. If the hook 352 is engaged withthe lower wall of the top connecting link 3522, the latter will be heldin its horizontal position. If it is desired to swing the top connectinglink 352 about its pivot 358 into a reclined position, the hook 3H isbrought by hand against the action of the spring 3|? into the dash anddot line position 3H, whereby the top connecting link 352 is released.After a swinging movement of the top connecting link 352 about the pivot358 into a sufficiently reclined position, the hook 3| I of the latchmechanism 38% may be released, whereupon the spring 3i? returns the hook3II into its vertical end position, the upper end of said hook now beingbelow the lower wall of the top connecting link 3552.

As best shown in Figs. 10 and 11, a torsion When the user of the chair8?. edgelaszviewe'dtin Figc-lo of thei s1o't 32I in -the lower wall ofthe top connecting: link 352 :comes 1 into engagement with the nose ofthe-hook 3-I I,

whereby the latter is swung'aboutits' :pivot 3-I5 in' COUIItBTrClOCkWiSGdirection, until. the: upper end of the hook SI I may pass throughtheisl'ot 32 I;

whereupon the springtl'l automaticallyreturn's 1: the hook 3| I into itsvertical position wherein-the book comes into engagement with thelowerwallof the to}: connecting link 352 as shownin full lines in 10,thus locking the top connecting" link in said horizontal end position;

When the top connecting link 352 'is-heldinthe horizontal p'osition'bythe latch mechanism ass; the-user of the chair may loosen the lockingdevice 3l2-for adjustingthe members of the foursided link-system 340,342, 350, 352-ina-different'" position-relative to each other'if sodesired; After-- such ail-adjustment of the members'of the four sidedlink system, the members may be -he1d'-inthe thus adjustedposition by atightening of the locking device 312. Now, the chair may be used" eitherin a stationary position of its movable members locked by the latchmechanism309, or, after a release of the latch mechanism 309 and the topconnecting link 352, as 1 a swiveling chair," wherein the four-sidedlink system-locked byjthe locking device 312 swings about the pivot 3'58under or against the action of the torsion spring; 323.

Furthermore, as best shownin Fig. 9, above described office chair has-oneach ofits sides a" separate arm-rest-325, the rear end ofwhich pivotedto the back-rest 345 at 321. Theiront end of each arm-rest 325 ispivotedat-329 'to'thej upper end of a link 33I the lower-end of which ispivoted to the top connecting link352at 333:

According to the embodiment of a chair shown in Fig; 12, the four-sidedlink-system 440, 442, ass, 452 is swingably mounted on the support 420at 458. A locking device dill may be used,for"lock-- ing the topconnecting link 452 in a predetermined position relative to the support426, and a locking device4l2 may-beused for locking the mem bers of thefour-sided link-system in.a'prede-. termined position relativeto eachother. As best shown in Fig. 14, the support 420 comprises two uprights435 connected with each other by cross bars 437 and 439. The upper endofeach upright 435 is provided with abutments 434 and 436 for?cooperation with the top connecting, link 452; said abutments 434, 435serve to limit the extreme positions oi the top connectinglink. Anadjust-'- able stop screw 44! is threaded into a'threa-ded bore of eachof the abutments 436. Said'stop screw 44! may be used for altering theextreme reclined position of the top connecting'link'452, which may comeinto contact withthe upper end of the stop screw 444, if the latterprojectsfrom' the upper surface of the abutment 436.

Furthermore, a stop 443 is attached tothe backrest :i lllby means ofscrews. Said stop 443 may" abut against the top'connecting link 452 forlimitingthe extreme reclined position of the members of the four-sidedlink-system as shown in'dash and. dot lines.

A leg-rest 446 swingably mounted on the-front portion or" the seat 442at 445 at a point spaced from the pivotal connection 448 between theseat442 and the front connecting .link 450 has on each of its sides anextension 441 projecting beyond the pivotal connection 445 between theleg-rest. 448 and the seat 442. According to Figs. 12 and. 13,.saidextension 44'! 'of the legerest l lfiha's actuating projection 449'extending inwardly for ameter.

9. loose engagement with the front connecting link 458. Said actuatingprojection 449 may be held in engagement with the front connecting link45!! by means of a torsion spring (not shown) arranged between the seat442 and the leg-rest 446. When, upon a tightening of the locking device4'!!! and a loosening of the locking device 412 the members of thefour-sided link-system 448, 442, 458, 452 are brought into a differentposition relative to each other, for example'into the reclined positionshown in dash and dot lines in Fig. 12, the front connecting link 458being in engagement with the actuating projection 449 of the extension44'! of the leg-rest 446 causes a swinging movement of the leg-rest 446aboutits pivot 445, so that the leg-rest 446 reaches a differentposition relative to the seat 442.

A similar displacement of the leg-rest 446 relative to the seat 442could also be obtained by a cooperation of the actuating means on theextension of the leg-rest with a portion or a projection of the topconnecting link;

According to the embodiment of an adjustable reclining chair shown inFig.15, the four-sided link-system 548, 542, 558, 552 is swingablymounted at 558 on the support 528. Again, the locking device 5'!2 may beused to hold the members of the four-sided link-system in an adjustedposition.

As best shown in Figs. 15 and 19, a member 55! having a slot 553 isrigidly connected withthe top connecting link 552, by welding, forexample. A bolt 555 having a head 55? passes through the slot 553 of themember 55! and abore 559 of the support 528. A protruding portion 56!arranged on the bolt 555 for engagement with a corresponding recess ofthe bore 559 prevents the bolt from rotation When a locking knob 563screwed on the projecting threaded end of the bolt 555 is turned. Whensaid locking knob 563 is tightened, the head 55'! of the bolt 555 ispressed against the member 55! whereby said member 7 and the topconnecting link 552 rigidly connected therewith are locked in apredetermined position. When the locking knob 563 is loosened, themember 55! may be displaced-relative to the head 55'!, so that the topconnecting link 552 may be freely swung about its pivot 558. The extremepositions of the top connecting link 552 are limited by an engagement ofthe ends of the slot 553 With the bolt 555.

A leg-rest 546 is swingably mounted on the front portion of the seat 542at a point 545 spaced from the pivotal connection 548 between the frontconnecting link 556 and the seat 542. Said leg-rest 546 has an extension56? for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

As best shown in Figs. 15-17, the front connecting link 558 is providedwith a series of openings 565. Each opening is composed of a cylindricalbore 56'! and lateral recesses 569. An actuating member generallyindicated by 51! may be inserted into one of said openings'565. As bestshown in Fig. 18, said actuating member 51!. has a cylindrical main body513 and a cylindrical engaging portion 575 of reduced di- Saidcylindrical engaging portion 515 is provided with extensions 5i! atdiametrically opposite sides. The engaging portion 5l5 may be insertedinto one of the openings 565, the shape of the extensions 57'! beingsuch as to pass through the recesses 569 of such an opening 565. Whenthe engaging portion 525 of the actuating member 51! is inserted intoone of said openings 565 until the shoulder 519 of themain body 513abuts against the surface of the front connecting link 558 as shown inFig. 17, the actuating member 51! may be rotated through an angle ofuntil the extensions 51'! reach the vertical position shown in Fig. 17,whereby the actuating member 51! is locked in its position on the frontconnecting link 556.

Now, assume the leg-rest 546 is in thejidle position shown in Fig. 15.When the user of the chair wishes to use the leg-rest, at first theactuating member 5'!! is removed from an opening 565 'of the frontconnecting link 558. Thereupon, the extension 54'! of the leg-rest may:be gripped by hand for swinging the leg-rest 546 about its pivot 545into an inclined position, for example the position 546' with theextension 54'! of the leg-rest beyond an opening 565 of the frontconnecting link selected for receiving the actuating member 51!.Thereupon, the actuating member 5'!! may be inserted intosaid opening565, for example into the uppermost opening as shown in Figs. 15-1'7.Now, when the leg-rest 546 is released, the extension 5410f the leg-restwill be held in loose engagement with the actuating member -5'!! by theaction of-the weight of the leg-rest 546. It will be readily understood,that the position 546 of the le rest will be changed relative to theseat 542 in a similar manner as described above in connection with theleg-rest 446 shown in Fig. 12, when the members of the'four-sidedlink-system 548, 542, 558, 552 are adjusted in a different position. IIf the user of the chair wishes to have a different initial position ofthe leg-rest 546 relative to the seat 542, he mayinsert the actuatingmember 57! into a different opening of the series of openings 565. Forexample, if the ac.- tuating member 51! is inserted into the-lower.-most opening 565, the leg-rest maybe brought into the position 546". I

According to the embodiment of a chair shown in Figs. 20-23, the topconnecting link 652 of the four-sided link-system 648, 642, 658, 652 isswingably mounted on the support 628 at 658. A rod 68! bent to form asemi-circle carrying stops 683 and 685 is rigidly'connected with the topconnecting link 652, by welding, for example. As best shown in Fig. 22,the rod 68! is in en gagement with an aperture 68'! of a ring-like endportion-689 of a bolt69! passing through a bore 693 of the'support 628-.When a looking knob 695 screwed on the threaded end of the bolt 69! istightened, the rod 68! is tightly pressed against thesurface of thesupport 62.!) by means of the-ring-like end portion 689 of the bolt 69!,so that the rod 68! as well as .the top connecting link 652 are lockedin their posi,- tion. When the locking knob 695 is loosened, the rod 68!may slide in the aperture 68'! of the end portion 689 of the bolt 69!,so that the top connecting link 652 maybe freely swung about its pivot658. The extreme positions of the .top connecting link 652 are limitedby an abutment of the stop 683 or the stop 685 against an edge of thesupport 628.

A leg-rest 646 swingably mounted on the seat 642 at 645 has an upwardextension 647. One end of a connecting bar 69'! is pivoted to saidextension 64'! at 699. Said connecting bar 69'! has a slot 682 capableof receiving a bolt 684 insorted with its square portion 686 intoacorresponding square aperture of the front connecting link 658, as shownin Fig. 21; Saidsquare portion 686 prevents the bolt 664 from'rotationwhen alocking knob 688 screwed on the threaded 650," sotthat the: latteras wellzasi'the vlegerest 646 connected with. said. connecting-z bar:are: heldt-in #:their p'osition. Such. ail.tiQhtEllilig'iOf'jthE'locki'n'g iaknob 608 causes also a; locking: of :all: mem- "bers' oftheifouresidedilink system 640, 642, 65B,

*fi52i in theiri' adjusted :position, so that: it isun- "necessaryto-arrangeaanya'additional locking adev ice, for -example on the pivotalconnection .644 betvveemthe ba'ckerestfill and the seat 642.

-Whe'n the lockingiknob'- 608 is loosened 7 the slot the: iconnecting.bart 1691::mayr freelyzaslide g the? boit fi 04,. so that the:leg-arestsBAt may .be rtirought into-a' difierenttposition, for exampleinto tlie extreme position E46 shownrinrdash and 'dot linesEin 'EigT ZO;Nowyiff the locking :knob .603ris tiglite'n'e'd again; so asto' holdthe. leg-rest in said =po'sition '64ii""relative to 'the seat642:.and'further- 'more" to -hold the members of'thexfour-sidedlinksystem in 'thein adjusted position: relativei-tozeach ether; forexample" the positionshown iniulllines in Fi'g. 20, the locking knob B95may behloosene'd, whereupon the members: of the four-sidedlinks'ystem'flil, E42, 650 652 may-be swung about the pivot- 658' into *the extremereclined-position shown in*Fig.'-*23, which is limited by an :abut-=ment" ofth'e stop 685* against the: support 620.

"The: members of the chair'maybe held in said position by a tighteningof the locking knob- 695. "Of course; 'the-rig-ht-hand 1 end" Cas-viewed in Fig. 20) "of' the connecting bar 6 91 could bepivotiillyvconnected Withthe front "connecting link-650 and theleft-hand erid-could be in shiftable engagement witha' bolton theextensionof the legrest:'if:desired; insnch a-case, the-locking knob608could bearrange'don the bolt inserted into a holeof the extension ofthe leg-rest.

"WhileIPhaveshownonly chairs, I do -not' Wish thatttheiiinvention belimited to *chairs only. The; invention may also be" applied to otherarticles ofifurnituregsuchas-cou'chesor the like.

i Furthermore, *itis-understood; that certain partsx elements,ornnechani'sms shown in a certain' figure may besubstitutedfor-corresponding parts, elements, or" mechanisms or theembodimentslshownin other'figures of the'drawings.

Ifhave describedjpreferred embodiments of my invention,;but itisunderstood that-this disclosure is. for'ithezpurpose'of illustration,and that vari' nusaomissionstor changes in' shape, proportion,:aIidLarrangement'of parts; as wellas' the substitutionofequivaleritelements for thosef'herein "shownfand described maybe'ma'de without "departing' 'frorn the spirit? and scope-of the-inventiorrassetfforth inthe appende'd claims.

What I claimis A reclining article of furniture comprising: arsupport, aseat,-a back rest, said back rest' bei-rigpivotedto the rear portion ofsaid'seat, a pair" of "connecting-links on each side of the chair,substantially above the "plane of the seat, each pair of connectinglinks including atop connecting link -and-a front connecting-link,adjacent ends of such'top and front connecting links 'being pivotallyconnected with'each other; therear end of" each top connecting linkbeing pivoted" to. an intermediate point ofthe" backerest above thepivotal connection between-the back-restxand the seat, the lower end ofeach frontconnecting'link "being-pivoted to the frontportion of theseat, said seat, saidback-rest-and said" pair: 'of connecting linksforming 'a foursided' link-system' the: sides ;o1".f1which.-:.beingadjustable with respect to :each other, F0111! onerpoint .of saidfour-sided link system .beingin .permanent operative engagementwithtsaidg supportsaid point being formed by a pivotal connection .ofsaid .top connecting. link with; saidsupport for varying the relativeposi- .tion: between. the: four-sided link system and the .supportgfirstlocking means associated with the top iconnecting; linkandsaidsupportfor locking the top. connecting link in anradjusted position, and:second locking; means acting on the relatively movable, members of the.four-sided link. system for locking the sides; of; the linkrsystem' inan, .ad-

justedxpositionrelative, to each other.

L2. -A,rec1iningarticleof Ziurnitnraasclaimedin claiml;saidjour-sided.linmsystemmeing inxthe shape of a parallelogram- 13Are-cliningarticle ofiiurniture; asclaimed in claim 1,:saidfouresided.link-systemshaving sides otunequal length.

.14., A reclining-articleof'iurniture:as claimed-in claim 1, saidpivotaliconnection.betweenl'the'top connecting; link and'tthe supportbeing substantially the center of said top connecting link.

'5. .Areclining' article of furniture comprising: a:.support,: a: seat,av back-rest;said'back-rest': being pivoted: to the rear portion of saidseat, apair .of: connecting flinks'on eachsideiof thechairsubstantialiyJaboVethe"plane"of thGTSGEt; eachxzpair of; connectinglinks .lll'lcllldll'lg a top connecting .linki andca:flOIl'lTiC'OIlIl'GCtillg. link, adjacent .ends of; such 'top 1 and"front connecting links being .pivotallynonnectedwith each other,':therear :end ,zofreach'top connecting linkbeing pivoted'toi an intermediatepoint of theJback-rest above the pivotalconnection-between the back=restand the :seatfthe lower end of each front'connecting link'beingvpivotedito' thefront portionof 'theseat, said seat;:saidwback-rest'and said pair of connecting linksif-orming .a'four-sidedlink-system the sides ofrwhich being adjustable with respect to eachother, .onlyione point of said four-sided link-system being, .in'permanent operative engagement with said .supportsaid point being formedbya pivotal connection ofz'said' top connecting link with v.said:support for varying the relative position: between'the four-sidedlink-system and the support, 'means "on the support for limiting theextreme positions'of the top connecting link, first locking meansassociated with the top connecting .ilinkiandsaid support for'lockingthe top con- 'necting link in; an adjusted position, andsecond dockingmeanslactingson the relatively'movable members :oitthejour-sidedlinkesystemlfor lock- .ingzthe sides .of ;the link-system in 1 anadjusted position relative to. each other.

:6. Atmeclining article. of furniture; comprising: arsupport, ,af-seat;a backerest; said back-rest bein ;'pivoted to: the rear portion "of saidseat, a pair ofconnecting links on each side of the chair substantiallyabove theplane of the seatyeach pair of connecting links includingatopconnecting; link andza front connecting link, adjacent ends ofsuchtop andfront connecting *links being pivotally connected With eachother, the rear1end of each top connecting link being pivoted --to:anintermediate :point of the back-rest above "the pivotal connectionbetween the back-rest'and the -seat, .the-'lower end of each frontconnectin link being .pivotedztorthe front portion of the seat, saidseat,.said back-rest and said pair of connecting links-forming afour-sided link systemthe sides of .which being adjustable with respectto each other, only one-point of saidf0ursided link-systembeinginpermanent, operati-vaengagementwith. said support, said pointbeing formed by a pivotal connection of said top connecting link withsaid support for varying the relative position between the four-sidedlink-system and the support, means on the support for limiting theextreme positions of the top connecting link, means cooperating with thefour-sided link-system for limiting the extreme relative positions ofthe sides thereof in one direction, first locking means associated withthe top connecting link for locking an adjusted position of the topconnecting link, and second looking means associated with the four-sidedlink system for locking an adjusted position of the sides of thefour-sided link system relative to each other.

7. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, a seat, aback-rest, said back-rest being pivoted to the rear portion of saidseat, a pair of connecting links on each side Of the chair substantiallyabove the plane of the seat, each pair of connecting links including atop connecting link and a front connecting link, adjacent ends of suchtop and front connecting links being pivotally connected with eachother, the rear end of each top connecting link being pivoted to anintermediate point of the back-rest above the pivotal connection betweenthe back-rest and the seat, the lower end of each front connecting linkbeing pivoted to the front portion of the seat, said seat, saidback-rest and'said pair of connecting links forming a four-sidedlink-system the sides of which being adjustable with respect to eachother, only one point of said four-sided linksystem being in permanentoperative engagement with said support, said point being formed by apivotal connection of said top connecting link with said support forvarying the relative position between the four-sided link-system and thesupport, first locking means associated with the top connecting link forlocking an adjusted position of the top connecting link, second lockingmeans associated with the four-sided link-system for locking an adjustedposition of the sides of the four-sided link-system relative to eachother, and a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front portion of saidseat, at least one of said connecting links being in operativeengagement with said leg-rest.

8. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, a seat, aback-rest, said back-re'stbeing pivoted to the rear portion of saidseat, a pair of connecting links on each side of the chair substantiallyabove the plane of the seat, each pair of connecting links including atop connecting link and a front connecting link, adjacent ends of suchtop and front connecting links being pivotally connected with eachother, the rear end of each top connecting link being pivoted to aninterminate point of the back-rest above the pivotal connection betweenthe back-rest and the seat, the lower end of each front connecting linkbeing pivoted to the front portion of the seat, said seat, saidback-rest and said pair of connecting links forming 'a four-sidedlink-system the sides of which being adjustable with respect to eachother, only one point of. said four-sided linksystem being in permanentoperative engagement with said support, said point being formed by apivotal connection of said top connecting link with said support forvarying the relative position between the four-sided link-system and thesupport, means on the support for limiting the extreme positions of thetop connecting link, first locking means associated with the topconnecting link for locking an adjusted position of the top connectinglink, second locking means associated with the four-sided link-systemfor locking an adjusted position of the sides of the four-sidedlinksystem relative to each other, and a leg-rest swingably mounted onthe front portion of said seat, at least one of said connecting linksbeing in operative engagement with said leg-rest.

9. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, a seat, aback-rest, said back-rest being pivoted to the rear portion of saidseat, a pair of connecting links on each side of the chair,substantially above the plane of the seat, each pair of connecting linksincluding a top connecting link and a front connecting link, adjacentends of such top and front connecting links being pivotally connectedwith each other, the rear end of each top connecting link being pivotedto an intermediate point of the back-rest above the pivotal connectionbetween the backrest and the seat, the lower end of each frontconnecting link being pivoted to the front portion of the seat, saidseat, said back-rest and said pair of connecting links forming afour-sided linksystem the sides of which being adjustable with respectto each other, only one point of said foursided link-system bein inpermanent operative engagement with said support, said point beingformed by a pivotal connection of said top connecting link with saidsupport for varying the relative position between the four-sidedlink-system and the support, means on the support for limiting theextreme positions of the connecting link, means cooperating with thefour-sided linksystem for limiting the extreme relative positions of thesides thereof in one direction, first locking means associated with thetop connecting link for locking an adjusted position of the topconnecting link, second locking means associated with the four-sidedlink-system for locking an adjusted position of the sides of thefour-sided linksystem relative to each other, and a leg-rest swingablymounted on the front portion of said seat, at least one of saidconnectin links being in operative engagement with said leg-rest.

10. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 1, resilientmeans arranged between the support and the top connecting link forreturning the latter from a reclined position into the sitting position.

11. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 7, resilientmeans arranged between the support and the top connecting link forreturning the latter from a reclined position into the sitting position.

12. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed inclaim 1, anautomatic latch mechanism associated with said top connecting link forholding same automatically in extreme positions.

13. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim '7, anautomatic latch mechanism associated with said top connecting link forholding same automatically in extreme positions.

14. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim '7, saidconnecting link being rigidly connected with said leg-rest.

15. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 7, saidoperative engagement between said connecting link and said leg-restincluding abutting surfaces on said two last mentioned members looselyengaged with each other.

16. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 7, saidoperative engagement between-said connecting link :and said leg-restincluding a link arranged between and pivotally connected at its endswith said two last menclaimed in claim 7, said operative engagementbetween the leg-rest and at least one of the connecting links includingthe front connecting ink, and cooperating abutting surfaces arranged onsaid leg-restand said front connecting link, said cooperating abuttingsurfaces being loosely engaged with each other.

18. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 7, saidoperative engagement ANTON LORENZ.

"16 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in'the fileof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 466,997 Berst Jan. 12, 1892737,276 Rote Aug. 25, 1903 825,984 Schmersahl July 17, 1906 1,198,912Haberacker Sept. 19, 1916 1,688,587 Liljedahl Oct. 23, 1928 1,704,585Astruc Mar. 5, 1929 2,273,667 Staudt 'Feb. 17, 1942 2,429,633 LorenzOct.r28, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 53,406 Netherlands'Mar. 9, 1939

